Starting Out: The Scandinavian

The Scandinavian (or Centre Counter - 1.e4,d5;) has always been popular at club level because it is a "move one" opening in which Black is "on his own turf" immediately and because it is relatively easy to play - in the majority of lines Black relies upon the same system of development. One further attraction is that it can lead to both tactical and positional play - there is something to suit all styles of player.

Women's Grandmaster Jovanka Houska has successfully played the Scandinavian, and in this book she demonstrates how to play the main systems of play for both White and Black using a combination of text and 71 annotated games. Although she believes in the Scandinavian as a fully viable defence for Black she also explains White's most important strategies and points out his best lines of play.

The Starting Out series books are distinguished by their easy-to-read layout, lucid explanations of the fundamentals, and an abundance of notes, tips and warnings to help the reader absorb vital ideas. Starting Out books are aimed at club and tournament players who have little experience of the openings in question but who wish to try them in their own games.

In 2006 Jovanka Houska won the English Chess Federation Player of the Year award, the first time a female chess player had received this prestigious recognition. Highlights of her career so far include winning the European Girls Junior Championship, representing the English team at numerous Chess Olympiads and qualifying for the 2006 Women's World Championship. She holds the Women's Grandmaster title.